Jacques Jean-Mary sauntered onstage to a hushed crowd of audience members. The set, which had six desks and blue and gray walls, depicted a barren detention classroom.
Jean-Mary, who graduated from Howard in 2023, portrays Dayrin, an outspoken, undisciplined “cool” kid in Dave Harris’ play “Exception to the Rule.” The production is showing at the Mead Theater in D.C. until Oct. 27 and is directed by Miranda Haymon. The show also features another Howard graduate, Aysia Glenn.
The theater’s site describes the play as a “gut-punch of a comedy [that] interrogates how a racialized public school system fails its students by design, who gets the chance to escape it, and what they must leave behind to do so.”
Jean-Mary had been working in the DMV for the past year and learned about the audition for the production through a Howard acting database.
He said he enjoyed the rehearsal process and discovering who his character was as time progressed. While Dayrin is depicted as a student who’s focused on girls and popularity, he also provided comedic relief to the audience who often laughed at his lines.
“So much has evolved since that first day of rehearsal, when the wheels were just turning about how I want to interpret my character and portray him,” he said.
Jean-Mary entered Howard undecided about his major but became interested in acting and decided to audition for the College of Fine Arts. After theatre arts professor Eric Ruffin saw potential in him, Jean-Mary realized Black theatre was his passion.
“He made me recognize my blackness,” said Jean-Mary. “This has prepared me for this role because, at Howard, we talk a lot about Black playwrights and how to use our blackness to tell a story. To be a part of ‘Exception to the Rule’ feels powerful, and Howard has definitely equipped us with the tools to do that,” Jean-Mary said.
Glenn, the understudy for the animated characters Dasani and Mikayla, graduated in May. Dasani and Mikayla are posed as contrasting characters who provoked murmurs of “ooo” and “hmm” from the audience.
While at Howard, Glenn majored in acting but decided to leave during her junior year and take a few years off in New York City to find herself. After having her son, she returned to Howard uncertain about pursuing acting. On her first day back, Glenn said she rediscovered her passion.
“Being in the theatre arts department, I could feel the energy of all the greatness that has passed through that building. Howard has inspired me now that I’ve graduated, to carry on that legacy,” Glenn said.
Since graduating, this project was her first time being cast as an understudy and working in a professional regional theater. She said she is trying to learn as much as she can during this transitional period and appreciates the independence of working professionally.
“I would compare it to pushing a baby bird out of its nest,” she said. “It was so nice to have our professors while we’re doing our scene work—they’re right there, not holding our hand but kind of guiding us. They give us knowledge and say, ‘This is how it is in the professional world.’ Now that I’m actually there, it’s about integrating all of those different skills that will help us be successful in the industry.”
As he enters the professional world, Jean-Mary said he believes that one of the most important lessons Howard instilled in him is confidence.
“I walked in shy, but Howard forced me to embrace being Black and to love myself in every way. You go into the room, make choices and play because at the end of the day, it’s just a play,” Jean-Mary said.
As they both advance in their careers, they agree it’s important to trust themselves and follow their hearts.
“It’s been a long journey, filled with so many ups and downs, lots of happy moments, discoveries, lots of sad moments, crying, imposter syndrome,” Jean-Mary said. “You have to stay reassuring and keep trusting God in the process.”
Copy edited by Anijah Franklin
